Affordable Fizz from Les Grands Chais de France
Les Grands Chais de France Group is a company based in the Northern Vosges region of France. It’s run by the Helfrich family. When Joseph...
Parlay Ultra Black Rum – drinks review
The label uses a strong old gold and black design which sets well on the inky dark rum in the tall slim bottle. The artwork...
Massucco Wines – drinks review
For many years Loris Massucco has been working hard, supported by the experience of several generations of family wine makers, to create his new, innovative...
Ozeki Dry Sake – drinks review
If we are new to sake we will likely be looking for a mild flavour and a light sake. Yes, sake does indeed have a...
Vassilis Papagiannakos at Domaine Papagiannakos Winery – interview
A few years ago one might scoff at the prospect of a visit to a Greek winery. The memory of old-school Retsina lingers on. That...
Shirataki Shuzo Atoaji Kiriri Uonuma Junmai Sake – drinks review
The quality junmai sake, made in Uonuma City in Niigata, is a pure sake made of just 100% Japanese rice polished to 65% of its...
Craft Spirits by Eric Grossman – review
Well, this is right on trend. Cocktails have become the cornerstone of every restaurant bar, and we want to try our hands at barista-ing at...
Sake: The History, Stories and Craft of Japan’s Artisanal Breweries – book review
I was told to expect a book. I was told to expect a big book. I was told to expect a coffee-table book. What I...
Taruzake Sake – cedar difference – travel review
Sure, the world of sake is new and mysterious to most of us. Japan’s national beverage is made of few ingredients but there are many...
Food Sake Tokyo by Yukari Sakamoto – travel guide review
Tokyo is a vibrant modern city but tradition is still evident. We might be looking for the latest technology in Akihabara or fashion and pop...
Okinawa and Awamori – the spirit of the islands – travel review
Awamori is the celebrated spirit originating in and unique to the Ryukyu Islands (Nansei Islands in Japanese) of Okinawa. It is made from long-grain Thai...
Sake in situ – the overlooked tourist attraction in Japan – travel review
A dream came true for me recently and it was courtesy of the Japanese Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). That might sound unlikely when...
Lambrusco – another taste – wine review
If you are of a certain age then even the name ‘Lambrusco’ will likely raise a smirk. Once the smirker’s composure has been restored then...
The Sparkle of Vilmart & Cie – travel review
The Champagne house Vilmart & Cie was founded in 1890 by Désiré Vilmart and is considered by many an authority to be perhaps the leading...
Wine & Spice Series 2015 at Cinnamon Club – restaurant review
It’s without doubt one of the best Indian restaurants in London. It’s housed in a historic grade II listed building near Westminster Abbey. It was...
Champagne – a brief encounter – drinks review
One is spoilt for restaurants in London. Highend Michelin-starred, white-tableclothed establishments abound. The weather becomes warmer. We dream of those balmy days and longer evenings...
Southern Oregon – sleep and eat in style – travel review
The average British tourist heading for the US on vacation will likely have limited horizons. There is the Big Apple with the draw of bright...
Discover Japanese Sake with Discovery Channel – travel review
We are invited to ‘Travel with Sam to Japan and uncover the secrets of sake’. But the first questions are likely to be ‘Who is...
Koichi Saura – Samurai for Sake – interview
We, at least in London, are becoming more familiar with Japan’s iconic national beverage. We are tempted to take our first sips in the increasingly...
Toshie Hiraide, Sake Samurai Japan – interview
Japan has many icons. Sumo, sushi, kimonos are among the first that spring to the non-Japanese mind …along with sake! Japanese food and sake are...